"The real apprehension is that there appears to be no real interest in any spending cuts," Harper said before Tuesday night's vote. "We are in a situation where the problems we have are not a result of a lack of revenue. They are a result of not having a reduction in spending."

Palazzo said the bill added almost $4 trillion to the deficit, contained minimal spending cuts and passed without the support of many House Republicans. Nunnelee said out-of-control spending is the reason the country is $16 trillion in debt and the deal adds to the problem.